Hotels and offices are using an AI tool that scans what they throw away - to reduce it and cut costs

Chefs and restaurant managers can see this data in real time.

It's data from a Winnow device that is said to include a scale and a screen with a motion-sensing camera.

According to foreign media, Telegrafi reports, the system "makes it really easy for us to collect accurate data on what is being wasted in these kitchens".

This was revealed by Winnow co-founder Marc Zornes, noting that the difficulty of collecting accurate records was the "biggest problem" many companies faced in dealing with their food waste.

"And it is important that you make this process easy, because kitchens are very busy places", he said.

Winnow then uses this data to advise chefs on buying the right amount of ingredients and how to prepare them to minimize waste.

Zornes points out that Winnow's accuracy in identifying foods "may vary from country to country."

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 19% of food available to consumers globally – or more than 1.1 billion tonnes – was wasted in 2022.

Of this, nearly 30% was wasted in the food service sector. /Telegraph/